Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-05-07

The President has the power to punish as
well as to reward. Among the former mall
contents and chronic grabbers, all the more
dangerous because influential of them have
been placated by places too fat" in this
land where money is scarce, not to be ex-
tremely tempting. If a willful Representa-
tive is content TO forego the promise of a
better place for sake of his principles, he
well knows that he may speedily lose the
one he has.
Never was there Republic" in which
such administrative abuses existed I'M
needed as in this. The civil service is no.
corrupt, and opportunities for the
most CALLING oppressien-by no means mis-
open to both Federal and
State Governments, while redress by the
BALLOTS impossible. There is no doubt
about the democratic tendency of the peo-
ple-but perhaps it is due to something in
herent in the Latin race, something of the
tropic summers in their blood, which rem
ders them too impulsive, erratic and chang
able to carry on Republic after the Anglo
Saxon plan.
THE RAMPANT PATRIOTISM
OF leaders like Diaz, inspired by the crav-
ing tor the sweets of power, has proved like
the religion of those martyrs who would
die for their cause in blaze of glory. but
could not live for a week in accordance
with the least of its dictates If among these
who are now anxiously awaiting
the action OF Congress is one who will in
struct the masses in their rights, who will
enumerate and register them for voting
and insure to them that first essential of a
free government-an accurate and I'M
fettered suffrage-then, indeed, greater
than Diaz is here
During neither of his terms has Diaz
ever done anything toward educating the
nation In this respect. The anomaly is still
presented of republic in which there is
no census nor registration of voters, and
no scrutiny of the ballot-box except by the
party in power. The people themselves
take no interest in the political machine"
having nothing to do with running it, The
number of votes cast at elections is pitt
fully small-with good reason, since il is
known that everything is "cut and dried {"
beforehand and will turn out in any event
according to the will of the dominant
party, unless prevented by an overpower-
ing revolution. The masses have no public
speakers and read no informing journals.
Indeed, no organized opposition can exist,
except in secret, for opposing journals are
invariably suppressed, and the leader who
would attempt opposition In the only pos
sible way (by force of arms would be shot
forthwith as traitor.
Isn't it surprising what vast difference
success makes in the worlds judgment of
mans actions? Ten years ago Diaz was
in active rebellion against all established
institutions, and if conquered would I'M
doubleday have been executed as a traitor
of deepest dye. Hlging been successful in
his ambitions he is patriot" instead !;
but let any other man, at this iuncture at
tempt to do what he himself did to quench
Lerdo's second-term aspirations-and what
a different story it would be, if Diaz could
make it so.
THE CONTESTS FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
Thus far in Mexican history all contests
for office have been mere personal matters,
Ringing not at all upon principle The
Government-that of the center controlling
the States, and these in turn the commu-
nities-sustains and counts in what candi-
dates it pleases and there IS no data for
objections, since nobody can point to the
real number of votes in given place. In
the United States it is difficult to compre-
bend this especially concerning a republic
whose institutions were patterned after the
same model; but when understood. it is
easy to see that there is absolutely no rem
edy but rebellion for oppressive domino
ton.
Among present complications in favor of
Diaz schemes is the fact that the con-
trolling Liberal party is divided into
several bitterly opposing political factions
and the chiefs of these cliques each prefer
to see Diaz continued in the Presidency
rather than run the risk of rival becom.
ing his successor-and everyone of the
gentlemen now bothered by the buzzing of
the Presidential bee is leader of some
LIBERAL faction. The Catholics also-an
element of great strength, though second
airy to the Liberal party-prefer the admin
istration of Diaz rather than to risk an
other which might be more vigorously
anti-Catholic, since it is we'll known that
the Presidents young wife, who Influences
him greatly, is devoted follower of that
faith.
One of General Diaz strongest points is
the possession of unerring judgment in the
choice OF those whom he must trust. 1t is
said he never makes mistake in this re-
gard even in war or diplomacy, when send
ing men on dangerous errands where ex-
traordinary courage and Judgment are re-
quired. As illustrative of the mans char
acter, let me tell you true story:
A Mexican officer-a brave soldier who
served faithfully under Diaz in the so-called
war OF reform " = afterwards (perhaps
from mistaken sense of duty) Joined the
Empire of Macmillan, and by brilliant
conduct soon rose 10 the command of an
Imperial regiment. During one of the
bloodiest battles of that memorable year.
in which Diaz gained the victory by over
whe!ming numbers, this officer was cap
tured by Lieutenant. He begged to be
taken to his former chief, that he might
surrender to him. Diaz was sitting on his
lt,,1ty IL.
when his former friend-the brave soldier
who had shared his tent on many field of
danger-was brought before him, a prisoner
The fallen officer, rendering his sword with
respectful obeisance, said: ITO my old
chief l surrender" Diaz seized the weapon,
and without an instantis hesitation
THRUST IT THROUGH THE HEART OF THE DE-
FENsELEss PRISONER,
Saying, That is how l treat traitors to
this country, caught fighting against the
Republicr By many in Mexico this is
as an act of exalted patriotism :;
but to the unwarlike writer it looks more
like foul and cowardly murder.
IT is but fair to add that General Diaz'
treatment of the French, Austrian and
Belgian officers of the empire, who could
not come under the ban of traitors to the
republic, is said to have been magnani-
iDt anu lD6Te are
those living in Mexico to-day who affirm
that they owe their lives to his forbesrance
1t will be remembered that at the same
time General Bazaine had induced the
weak Emperor Macmillan to issue de-
cree condemning every Mexican taken with
any sort OF weapon in his hand to be i'm
mediately shot. In pursuance Of this bar
barous decree, many a Mexican, captured
IN his own field hoeing corn, was sum-
marily shot, the implement in his hand
being considered q possible weapon" 1t
is told with horror how certain Colonel
Dupin-a rufiianly soldier who had been
discharged from the French army in AL
giers, was made by .Bazaine Colonel of
guerrillas in the State of Vera Cruz, and
that be used to shoot every Mexican he
met, whatever he might be doing, and
then hung their bodies to trees by the way
side. 1t is even asserted that his brutal
band sometimes quartered the murdered
men and committed all manner of atroci-
ties upon whoever fell into their hands.
In view of these things there is much ex-
cuse for those Mexican officers who were
severe with the captured Imperialists. and
with their own countrymen who
had joined the invader
When these wars were over, Disz re-
turned to his native city, 0axaca, where
his townsmen presented him with a sub
urban hacienda called La Noria. For a
year or two, like the ancient Roman, he
devoted himself to the pursuits of hus-
bandry, and was often seen with hoe in